In a powerful demonstration of unity, opposition parties led by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, expressing their support for Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan. The walkout followed a recurrence of the ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan’ controversy, where Bachchan, a well-known actor and politician, was repeatedly introduced in Parliament by her husband’s name.
This marks the second time during this Parliamentary session that Jaya Bachchan, who is married to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, has been addressed as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan’ in the Upper House—a practice she has openly condemned.
Who does Jaya Bachchan think she is? Every day, she throws the same tantrums.
Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji put her in her place today. Hopefully, she’ll learn from this. pic.twitter.com/f4dDuWy3fl
— BALA (@erbmjha) August 9, 2024
Speaking to the media after the walkout, an evidently frustrated Bachchan described the experience as “humiliating” and criticized the treatment of opposition MPs, particularly the way they are often dismissed by the Chair. “Whatever is said from the Chair… is allowed. Outside the Chair, the individual is like us… an MP. I objected to the tone used by the Chair. We are not school children, and some of us are even senior citizens,” she remarked, expressing her disappointment over the treatment received.
Bachchan also highlighted what she perceived as a disrespectful attitude toward women in Parliament, pointing out that she was subjected to demeaning remarks such as “nuisance” and “you may be a celebrity, but I don’t care.” She stated firmly, “Nobody has ever spoken the way they do now in Parliament. What is the problem? It is so disrespectful to women.”
ALSO READ: Jagdeep Dhankar walks out of Rajya Sabha, tells Jairam Ramesh ‘I know your habit’
During Friday’s session, as the issue resurfaced, Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar responded to Bachchan’s objections by saying, “Don’t school me.” Unfazed, Bachchan demanded an apology, leading to heightened protests from opposition MPs and their eventual walkout.
Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien, gathered outside Parliament in a show of solidarity with Bachchan. Several leaders spoke out on her behalf, with Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh accusing the ruling party of repeatedly insulting opposition MPs in Parliament.
Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) emphasized Bachchan’s extensive parliamentary experience, noting that she had more experience than the Vice President himself. Dola Sen of the Trinamool Congress echoed these sentiments, stressing that Bachchan, as a four-time MP, deserves respect.
ALSO READ: Ahead of Independence Day, ISIS terrorist held in Delhi, police say outfit had some plans
The walkout prompted a fierce response from BJP leaders. Rajya Sabha MP JP Nadda condemned the opposition’s actions as “indecent and irresponsible,” accusing them of trying to “weaken the country” and demanding an apology. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan echoed Nadda’s sentiments, describing the walkout as a disgrace to democratic values and the Constitution, and asserting that the opposition’s actions were pushing the country towards anarchy.
Following the intense exchanges, Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the Rajya Sabha proceedings until 2 pm.
Earlier in the week, Jaya Bachchan had objected to being addressed by her husband’s name, stressing that “only Jaya Bachchan would have sufficed” and expressing discomfort with the notion that women are identified solely by their husbands’ names, as if they lack their own identity.
She had previously corrected Deputy Chairperson Harivansh Narayan Singh when he addressed her as “Shrimati Jaya Amitabh Bachchanji,” reminding the House that women should be recognized for their own achievements.
